Minnesota Wetland Report

X.Further Needs and
Analysis

Although
completion of the NWI digitization represented a giant leap forward
in wetland data analysis, it is based on photography that in many
cases is more than 15 years old and it does not provide the ability
to compare present and past conditions to generate guidance for the
future.Digitally updating
the NWI, beginning with the areas of the state experiencing the
greatest land use change, would give citizens and staff of local,
state and federal governments modern information and might provide
some trend analysis in areas where the original maps were developed
using methods consistent with todays techniques.When digitized soil data is available statewide, a thorough
analysis will be possible.Until then, local governments with access to data developed
through local studies may be able to use this information to analyze
trends, inventory drained/filled wetlands and prepare local wetland
plans.Meanwhile, state
efforts will focus on refinement of existing data to assess
information on a variety of aspects of wetlands, including
subwatersheds, eco-regions, ownership, basin size, conservation
program results, and regulatory program effectiveness.